Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
` lQ743~;2
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved con-
struction of a graphic pattern, design or the like -- hereinafter
simply referred to as a pattern -- for imprinting substrates,
particularly various documents, such as especially paper currency,
stamps or the like, with lines in the form of lengthwise extending
color peaks or mounds, applied especially by means of an intaglio
printing process to the substrate.
Patterns having numerous intersecting lines, in which
there are also present parallel lines, are known, for instance
for printing paper currency. Irrespective of the line of sight
or viewing angle at which such type patterns are observed, there
is always present the same brightness effect or impression.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to pro-
vide a new and improved graphic pattern wherein the impression
upon the viewer alters as a function of the viewing angle, additio _
ally, the authenticity of the pattern can be readily ascertained
an~ duplication of the pattern is extremely difficult.
Still a further s~gni~icant obiect of the prescnt inven-
tion aims at the provision of a novel method of producing a gra~hi
pattern, typically but not exclusively for paper currency~ which
~ b ~,
1 107~;~62
enables providing a pattern wnich alters in dependency upon the
viewing angle, and additionally, allows incorporation into the
pattern of suitable markings or the like which are only visible
when looking at the pattern from a certain line of sight, thereby
assisting in checking the authenticity of the pattern.
Now in order to implement these and still further object
of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the
description proceeds, the invention contemplates providing a line
grid formed of relati~ely closely situated non-intersecting and
non-contacting lines, wherein the line grid is arranged at least
in predetermined field sections or zones. Further, the ratio be-
tween the height and the spacing of the color mounds or peaks
forming the lines is chosen such that when viewing the pattern
below a predetermined boundary inclination angle the base of the
valleys between the color peaks is not visible.
The aforementioned ratio is equivalent to the tangent
of the inclination angle, below which there must be observed the
pattern in the boundary position, and starting from such boundary
position there is only still visible the color mounds or peaks.
Wh~n observing the pattern according to the invention at
an angle measured with respect to the surface of the pattern, the
tangent of which is smaller or equa~ to the aforementioned ratio,
then the observer only sees parts of the color peaks or mounds and
not parts of the substrate -- such as a paper note or currency --
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in the valleys between the color mounds. The pattern accordingto the invention produces a novel aesthetic effect which is pred-
icated upon the three dimensional aspects of the pattern. This
effect is apparent in terms of a darkening- and brightening effect
when tilting the substrate. Further, the inventive pattern can be
easily checked as to its authenticity and at the same time it is
difficult to forge or reproduce the same, because owing to its
uniform character at least in field sections or zones and due to t e
brightness effect during tilting or pivoting of the substrate it
is possible to easily optically determine irregularities. This
renders the pattern especially suita~le for printing securities,
paxticularly paper currencies and checks.
~ he authenticity of paper currency should be easily
capable of being checked not only by the e~pert but also by the
layman, and, furthermore, such paper currency should be extremely
difficult to forge or reproduce. Both aspects should increase the
security against forgery, in that both the actual forgery as well
as the placing into circulation of forged paper currency is render
ed much more difficult.
With presently conventional paper currency the layman
has the opportunity to check for forgeries by means of a metal
thread inco~porated into the paper currency. Additionally, to
check for for~eries there are formed in the pattern deviations
along the principle of picture puzzles, which1 however, are dif-
ficult to detect by the layman and therefore can ~e ignored by the
orger, thus m~king i t easier to forge currency or the 1ike.
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Now in order to provide the layman ~ith a more positive
possibility of determining that the paper currency which they are
holding is not forged or counterfeit, and without requiring any
additional expenditure during the fabrication of the paper currenc
it is a further advantageous aspect of the present invention to
provide at least one interruption in the line grid which inter-
sects the lines.
If the observer tilts a piece of paper or other substrat
provided with a pattern produced according to the invention in the
above-explained manner, such that they only still see, for instanc ,
the dark color mounds or peaks and now if the paper is turned
such_that the interruption is visi~le, then there clearly appears
the contrast between the color of the lines and that of the sub-
strate. This principle permits the layman to carry out a very
simple and effective check of the authenticity o the involved
paper or document~
The interruption is advantageously formed by a passage-
way or so to speak "street" which essentially extends transversely
through the lines of the line grid or pattern. A num~er of such
passageways or streets also can be provided, which advantageously
extend parallel and essentially linearly.
The authenticity chec~ for the expert is predicated
upon the principle that at optically uni~orm structures errors can
be detected more quickly and clearly than at irregular structures,
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as such were previously employed. HoweveL, in order to render
counterfeiting practically almost impossible, the line grid accord .
ing to a further feature of the invention is continuously or con-
tinually changed in field sections or zones, for instance accord-
ing to a predetermined program. Thus, the lines which extend
essentially parallel to one another can be distorted in a hook-
ar.d/or arc-shaped manner. Moreover, each line can be distorted
or deformed so as to deviate in relation to the neighboring lines.
Finally, deformations of the line grid in the form of waves or the
li~e are possible.
The line grid of the invention optically imparts a
uniform impression, although the grid changes from surface unit
to surface unit. Thus, there is simultaneously insured ~oth easy
recognizability by the expert and difficult counterfeiting. It
is known that during photographic counterfeiting line details
become lost. Attempts to manually augment such gaps or spaces
is not practically possible, and with a regular or uniform basic
pattern, as produced by the invention, in fact can be detected
by the layman.
~ ith conventional copper plate engraving with partial
point resolution of the lines and their intersection points,
detection o~ the authenticity is considerably more difficult and
the possi~ility of ~orgery greater.
A pattern produced according to the invention is
referably ~a~ricated in such a manner that there is formed a
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substantially uniform line grid or pattern which changes with
regard to the course of the lines according to a predetermined
program, the line pattern preferably being formed by means of a
guilloche machine and then applied to the substrate by means
of a steel plate engraving process.
As to the pattern formed according to the invention,
in principle an infinite number of variation possibilities exist
by different programming thereof. Therefore, the pattern of 'he
invention can be correspondingly altered for a series of paper
currency, yet, the uniformity of the currency series is ensured
by employing the same basic principle.
As mentioned, the invention not only concerns the
aforementioned graphic pattern or the like, but also deals with
a method of producing the same wherein there is provided a sub-
strate, color mounds are applied to the substrate such 'hat there
is formed a pattern of colored portions spaced from portions of
the substrate devoid of color, such that when viewir.g the
substrate below a certain angle of inclination there is not
visible the base or portions of the substrate devoid of color
between the portions bearing color.
~ ccording to a further aspect of the invention there
is formed at the colored portions interruptions which are visible
in the form of a passageway or street only when viewing the
substrate at an angle below a predete~mined inclination angle.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects
other than those set forth above, will become apparent when
consideration is given to the following detailed description there
of. Such description ma~es reference to the annexed drawings
wherein:
Figure 1 is a side view of a substrate containing color
mounds or peaks produced in accordance with the invention and
serving to explain the principles thereof;
_ Figure 2 is a plan view of a portion of the line pattern
or grid applied to the substrate in accordance with the invention
Figure 3, 4 and 5 respectively illustrate different
perspective views of a line pattern or grid arrangement according
to Figures 1 and 2;
Figures 6 to 13 respectively illustrate different
variations or the line pattern of the invention.
~ETA~LED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRE~ EMBODIMENTS
. . _ _ _
Describing now the drawings, in Figures 1 to 5 there
is shown in a simplified illustration a section of a line pattern
or gr~d designed according to the present invention, namely having
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by way of example, straight lines 7 in the form of lengthwise
extending color mounds or peaks 1 applied to a suitable substrate
2, for instance paper currency. The color bearing portions i.e.
the color mounds or peaks 1 have a height t and a base or valley
spacing b in .he plane of the substrate 2.
In Figure 1 there have been shown two viewing or observa-
tion points 3 and 4, from which an observer is capable of viewing
the paper currency or the like. When looking from point 3 the
observer sees both the color mounds or peaks 1 as well as also
the parts 6 of the substrate 2 located in the intermediate valleys
i.e. the portions of the substrate devoid of color.
On the other hand, when viewing the pattern from point
4 the observer sees only part of the color mounds 1. With bright
substrate 2 and dark color mounds 1 the observer receives the
impression of an intermediate tone, for instance a grey tone when
looking from point 3, whereas when looking from point 4 he only
perceives the dar~ tone or shade of the color mounds or peaks 1.
If the observer pivots or tilts the paper currency from a vertical
viewing direction into an inclined viewing direction, then there
is present a continuous darkening of the image.
From the showing of Figures 2 to 5 it will be apparent
that the color mounds 1 are pierced or interrupted by three sub-
stantially parallel transverse passageways or streets 5 having a
smaller width c than the spacing or distance b between two
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juxtaposed lines 7~ Now if the substrate 2, while viewing the
same from point 4 or from a lower situated sighting point in Figur
1, is rotated such that one or a number of the passageways or
streets 5 come into the line of sight or viewing field of the ob-
server, then the observer, owing to the more pronounced bright-
dark contrast between the color of the substrate 2 and the color
mounds or peaks 1, immediately recognizes the passageways or stree s
5 and, thus, for instance the genuineness of the paper currency.
Starting from point 4 in Figure 1 there is plotted the
boundary inclination angle ~ for the relevant ratio t/b, at which
the observer just no longer sees any of the surface of the sub-
strate 2 in the valleys 6 between the color mounds 1. If the
point 4 is shifted somewhat upwards or if the substrate 2 is roc~e
somewhat more to the perpendicular to the path of the rays from
the point 4, then the observer will see part of the valleys 6
between the color mounds or peaks 1. With very small spacing b
such will be merely perceived as a brightening of the image of the
pattern which is presented to the observer.
It will be apparent that this boundary inclination angle
a can be varied by chan~ing the ratio t/b. Advantageously, the
a~orementioned ratio lies in a range between about 0.5 and 2Ø
In the illustrated example the ratio tJbamountsto about 0.7
With constant width the houndary inclina~ion angle desi~nated in
Figure 1 by the symbol increases as the value t becomes greater
and de~reases as such value t hecomes smal~er. In the last instan e
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the observer must view the paper currency in a still more markedly
inclined position in order to receive the impression of complete
darkness and then to more easily discern the bright street or
passageway 5 for the detection of the authenticity or genuineness
of the paper currency.
In Figure 6 there is shown schematically a basic pattern
which is possible for the color mounds, shown in the form of
parallel lines 8, for instance like the lines 7 of Figures 1 to 5,
whereas in Figures 7 to 11 there have been illustrated various
modifications of such pattern with distortions or deviations of
such lines.
With the patterns shown respectively in Figures 7 to
11 the basic course of the lines 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 respectively,
is maintained as heretofore to be essentially linear and parallel.
In particular, with the patterns of Figures 7 and 10 the
distortions are in the form of essentially zig-zag shaped lines or
sawtooth-shaped lines 9 and 12, respectively, whereas ~or the pat-
tern of Figure 8 there have been shown arc-shaped distortions
or deflections of the lines 10 i.e. in the form of arcs 14 arrangec
in a row next to one another, each line 10 consisting of a con-
tinuous series of such arcs 14. It will be apparent from the show-
ing of Figure 8 the radius of curvature of the adjacently situate~
arcs can vary. Thus, by way of example, the radius of curvature
of the lowermost sequence of arcs or arc-shaped portions 14 shown
in Figure 8 is considerably smaller than that of the uppermost
equence of arcs. - 11 -
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As to the pattern of Figure 9 such basically is like that
of Figure 8 but there has been additionally incorporated therein
the tooth-like or zig-zag portions 15 between the arc portions or
sections 16 of the lines 11.
With the pattern of Figure 11 both the radius of curvatur e
of the arc or undulated portions 17 vary in the same manner as in
Figure 8 from one line to the next and also within a continuous
train of such arcs, and also the arc length varies within the arc
train.
The distorted lines 9 to 13 of the patterns illustrated
in Figures 7 to 11 can have superimposed thereon a distortion
corresponding to the wave-like or wavy lines 19 to 21 illustrated
in Figures 12 i.e. the lines 18 to 22 which are variously configur~ d
and located adjacent one another in Figure 12 additionally can be
distorted by means of any one of the patterns of Figures 7 to 11
or various combinations thereof. Stated in another way, for in-
stance any one of the patterns of Figures 7 to 11 can have the
different distorted lines 9 to 13 extend along the lines 18, 22
and the curved or wave-like lines 19 to 21 shown in Figure 12.
Both the distortion o~ the lines 9 to 13 according to
Figures 7 to 11 as well as also the different deformation or
alterations of the course of the lines, such as especially the wavy
lines 19 to 21 upon which there is superimposed the distorted line~ ,
~0743~2
as previously explained, is carried out such that when viewing
the pattern there remains the impression of esentially linear and
parallel lines.
Figure 13 illu~trates a pattern according to the showing
of Figure 8, wherein the line intensity is thickened locally, as
indicat~d by reference character 25, ~or accentuating a motif in
the pattern. ~he described graphic pattern also can be used for
other fields of application, such as, for instance, stamps, stocks,
bonds, negotiable instruments and so forth.
In the case of graphical patterns of the described type,
in p~actice the folowing values have come into consideration for t~ e
magnitudes shown in the drawings:
= 20 - 30
t = 25 - 140
b = 125 - 145
_ = 40 - 50
e = 500 ~
The magnitude e is preferably maintained constant for
a given pattern. When ta~ing into account the above-indicated
values the ratio t/b varies approximately hetween 0.2 and 1. For
a given pattern the ratio t/b preferably remains essentially con-
stant.
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It is not absolutely necessary that the passageways
or streets 5 are linear or straight. They also could be slight-
ly curved or wave-shaped.
The width c of the passageways or streets 5 is select-
ed such that such passageways can not be detected if a
xerographic copy or photograph is made.
However, in the event that with such duplication or
reproductions techniques, such as xerography and photography,
it is even possible to copy the passageways or streets`5, then
the graphic effect of the invention that passageways 5 are only
visible below a certain inclined position of the imprinted
substrate, nonetheless would not be obtained.
The passageways 5 preferably must be located at print-
ed zones or regions where the ratio between the printed to non-
printed surface amounts to 2:1 to 3:1, so that the passageways
5, when viewed in plan, i.e. when looking from point 3 (Figure 1)
are not visible to the eye and only then become visible when
looking from .he point 4 (Figure 1), i.e. only are clearly
visible to the eye when the pattern is viewed below the pre-
2~ determined boundary inclination angle ~ in the direction of thepassageways 5.
It also would be conceivable to provide, instead of a
line grid, a point grid, i.e. in a series of spaced points, in
which there are provided the passageways or streets. In the
last-mentioned instance the points must
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be cnosen in such a manner and arranged offset with respect to one
another such that when viewing the pattern below a boundary in-
clination angle the non-printed background, with the exception
of the passageways 5 between the points, is not visible.
While there are shown and described present preferred
embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood
that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise
variously emboaied and practiced within the scope of the following
claims. ACCORDINGLY,
